Small quake shakes buildings but causes no injuries in western NC

COLUMBUS, N.C. (AP) -- A small earthquake shook houses and woke up residents in western North Carolina but no damage or injuries have been reported. The U.S. Geological Society said the 3.1-magnitude quake struck just after 6 a.m. on Friday about six miles east of Columbus. It occurred at a depth of about 3.4 miles. Polk County emergency communications supervisor James McGuinn said the phone lines were clogged for about 25 minutes with reports about houses and buildings shaking. He said the sound was a rumble with a small boom at the end, similar to thunder. Dispatchers in Henderson and Rutherford counties also received reports. (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)